Zuri, a three-year-old Rothschild giraffe, has joined the community at Bellewaerde amusement park and zoo in Zonnekeke, West Flanders, the park announced on Wednesday.
Zuri, who came from the Pairi Daiza zoo and botanical garden, has now taken up residence with three other giraffes in a newly refurbished enclosure.
'The Savannah,' dedicated to the giraffes, has undergone significant renovation and expansion to accommodate more animals. Innovation has been factored into the renovation, with enclosures now sustainably heated by geothermal energy, sand beds and improved facilities. Four-year-old male Dumisani and two females, Kamala, 3, and Safiya, 4.5, have welcomed Zuri into their space.
Rothschild giraffes, found primarily in Kenya, are among the most endangered species of giraffes in the world. Standing five metres tall on average, they are named after British zoologist Lionel Walter Rothschild.
Visitors will be able to meet Zuri from 30 March 2024, when the park reopens.
Located near Ieper (Ypres) the park will also include a new area where visitors will be able to discover a unique aquatic attraction.
